Portable acetylene generator



Juiy 18, 1939. H. REINER I 2,166,552

' PORTABLE ACETYLENE GENERATOR I Filed Nov. 1,' 1935 lNV ENTOR Patented July 1 8, 1939 UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to a portable gas generator of the water to carbide type wherein a gas evolving solid such as calcium carbide is adapted to be decomposed by a suitable liquid 5 whereby a gas, such as acetylene, is evolved.

It is an object of my invention to provide an acetylene generator of the type which is particularly adapted for soldering, braizing, welding, cooking, lighting, etc. I am aware that a number of acetylene generators have heretofore been used for permanent house lighting and for automobile lighting, but so far as I am aware, no portable generator has heretofore been conceived, which is designed and adapted for pressure ranges suitable for my purposes.

My further object is to providea generator which may be turned over by accident or otherwise, without developing an over generation of gas.'-- In ordertoprovide a portable generator of this type, I have found it necessary to correctly proportion the volume of solid, the volume of water and the volume of the gas pressure reservoir, so that I will develop, maintain and control the pressures necessary for these purposes. These proportions have either been overlooked in prior art devices or have not been necessary to determine within any degree of accuracy because of the overall sizes of the generators used in buildings and the like.

With due regard for the critical pressure of acetylene gas and the proportions above outlined, my invention also provides very definite control means, including the valve connection and the intercommunicating parts between the gas reservoir and water reservoir.

I must, of course, "have a volume or space in my solid holding compartment suflicient to carry enough calcium carbide to run the generator over a time period adequate to avoid excessive refilling in the field. This should be an amount of carbide sufficient for about 4 hours continuous operation. I must have a volume of water properly proportionate to this amount of carbide. With these factors known, I then'provide in one embodiment, a gas pressure reservoir of a volume sufficient to maintain pressures of between 10 and 15 pounds per square inch and a water and gas control valve adapted to readily maintain these pressures.

A specific structural object of my invention is to provide a minimum gas pressure controlled by a rubber diaphragm and springs, which regulate a constant pressure of gas, and a further object of the invention is to so arrange the de- 515 vice that the rate of gas evolution and themessure thereof will be automatically accommodated to the gas consumption. I also desire to disclose a type of generator where the gas is first passed through its water reservoir to purify and filter the gas.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to'theaccompanying drawing in which the figure shows an elevation view partly in section of one embodiment of my generator.

Referring to the drawing, the body of the generator l is composed of suitable metal and of proper shape and size to meet my objects and critical conditions. .I prefer to construct it of light high tensile strength metal. It contains 7 the water inlet 8, water 9, carbide door it, carbide drawer H preferably with compartments i2, holding carbide I3. The carbide drawer I! may be provided with compartments, as shown, so that as the carbide in one compartment expands by moisture it fills its own compartment substantially to direct the water to the next compartment and it thus tends to prevent an over generation. These compartment walls may vary in height, if desired, to aid in the Water proportion of my device. The chamber 7 is preferably pro 25 vi-ded with the ducts l4 and I5, shaped to form a handle I6 having a safety valve H disposed at one end and a gas top l8 and gas top valve iii.

A pressure meter 20 may also be provided, as shown. The chamber 1 has a dome 2i preferably demountable in which is'contained the diaphragm l of rubber or other suitable material, the compression springs 2 and 3, as shown controlling the diaphragm and the rod or valve stem 4 by. the action of the manually adjustable wheel 6. The valve, stem 4 runs through its housing 5 and connects to the valve stem port closer 6, operating against the port seat 22 at the bottom of the tubular housing 5 to give the port opening 23. The seat 22 is, of course, integral with the partition 24 separating the water and carbide chambers of the generator 7. Holes are provided in 5 at 25, as shown. A gas outlet tube 26 connects to partition 24. and to a check valve 21, positioned in the small gas reservoir 28. 45 The arrows indicate the flow of gas at various points. I may provide legs 29, as shown.

The operation of my generator is as follows: Water from 9 is introduced into generator I through the filling spout 8 to the level of the 50 bottom. of this spout. This to be known as the normal water level. Then replace the cap on spout tightly. Carbide i3 is placed in compartments l2 of the carbidetray II, and the door I0 is tightly clamped in place. The water wheel 6 is then turned down allowing water into the first carbide compartment. Gas will immediately be generated and flow through gas pipe 26 and check valve 21 through the water 9 into tank 1. The function of the system presented by the conduit or gas pipe 26 and the cooperative valve 21 and the filter portion 28, is to enable the gas to be automatically cleaned and filtered by first passing through the body of water before it is admitted into the outlet mains l4 and I5. A further function of this auxiliary gas circuit is to prevent any accumulative generated usable gas which may be present in the space 9 above the water level at any time that the door H] of" the carbide chamber is open, from escaping into the atmosphere. It is obvious that if the door in is open, that any gas accumulated, irrespec= tive of the pressure heat in the valve 9, would escape through the gas pipe 26, unless there was provided the check valve 21, as shown. Further more, this auxiliary system prevents any water from picking up through the auxiliary system and going down into the carbide chamber. In other words, if the check valve 21 was not present and the door I 0 is open, it immediately cre ates a siphon condition until the water level reaches the lower extremity of the filter portion 28. After that, of course, the gas would escape into the atmosphere by reason of the door Ill being open. This form of gas, of course, functioning as described, was not known in the art so far as I know. As pressure reaches about 8 lbs., the water is automatically shut off by the action' of springs 2 and 3 and rubber diaphragm l acting on the valve stem 4 to close port 23.

This operation continues until all the carbide I 3 in tray II is consumed. If gas is generated and is not used, the safety valve I! will blow off at a predetermined pressure, thus assuring the The use of other gases and. other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the appended claim.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

A portable high pressure acetylene gas generator having two separate chambers, one adapted to hold a carbide tray removable through a gas tight closure means, the other with a water supply inlet to hold water, a water valve connecting the water chamber with the carbide chamber,

a tubular connection including a gas check valve from the carbide chamber to the water chamber, said water valve controlled by an adjustable spring actuated rubber diaphragm responsive to any predetermined change of pressures of the gas in the water chamber, said gas check valve adapted to automatically clean and filter said gas and preclude the escape of said gas into the atmosphere during any opening of or access to the carbide tray, a gas outlet connection from the water chamber, to a safety pressure valve, a pressure indicator responsive to gas pressure in said chambers and a manually adjustable gas discharge top outlet. 7

HERMAN REINER. 

